Via Francigena
April 2025
Southbound
– Lucca to Rome, Italy –
Distance (KM)
Days
Km / Day
About The Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is a 2,000-kilometer medieval pilgrimage route from Canterbury, England, to Rome, Italy. In many ways, it is similar to the Camino de Santiago, but it has its own unique flair, language, and culture. Pilgrims walking the Via Francigena carry a passport (credenziale), which is used to acquire stamps documenting their journey. And once they reach the Vatican, pilgrims can also apply for a certificate (testimonium) to celebrate walking at least 100 kilometers on the route.
Due to its length, many modern pilgrims only complete a portion of the Via Francigena. The most popular section of the Via Francigena is the final 430 kilometers through Tuscany. This section begins in Lucca, Italy, and ends in Rome/Vatican City, and is the route I walked in April 2025. This year was a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, which is a time for reconciliation, forgiveness, and renewal. My walk also coincided with Easter, the death of Pope Francis, and the Vatican’s temporary closure for his funeral.
Scroll down to see my daily photo journal of this walking adventure, what gear and clothing I packed, and how I think this pilgrimage compares to the Camino de Santiago.
Trail Journal
LUCCA TO ROME
- VF Day 1: Pisa, Lucca, and a Funeral
- VF Day 2: All Hail the (Burger) King
- VF Day 3: A Randy Volvo Encounter
- VF Day 4: Best Gelato in the World
- VF Day 5: Slick AF
- VF Day 6: Blisters Galore
- VF Day 7: Swept Away in Wine Country
- VF Day 8: Trail Closures
- VF Day 9: A Free Bus Ride
- VF Day 10: Buona Pasqua
- VF Day 11: Locked Away in a Monastery
- VF Day 12: Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere
- VF Day 13: The Italian Pilgrims Arrive
- VF Day 14: Nutella Farms & Fairytale Forests
- VF Day 15: Detouring Around Dogs
- VF Day 16: That’s a Snake
- VF Day 17: Vatican City
- Epilogue: A Day in Rome
Other Via Franigena Posts
11 Differences Between the Camino and Via Francigena
In February, I publicly announced my plans to walk 400+ kilometers on the Via Francigena. Soon afterward, several friends began referring to this upcoming trek as my "Italian Camino." I can see their point of view. This new pilgrimage resembled my other trips on the...
Via Francigena Packing List
About a year ago, I decided to experiment with my inn-to-inn packing list. I'd just finished reading Glen Van Peski's book, Take More, Do Less, which inspired me to pare down my gear to the essentials for the Camino Portugués. My overall assessment of this lighter...
My Via Francigena Itinerary
When I began planning my spring 2025 trek on the Via Francigena, I wasn't 100% sure what to expect. Was this European pilgrimage going to be like the Camino de Santiago routes in Spain? Could I stop wherever I got tired each day, or was I limited to certain towns?...
Resources
- Via Frangiena Info
- Via Francigena Navigation (App and guides)
- Where to Get Your Credenziale
